Synopsis : The International Paralympic Committee changes its rulebook for wheelchair dance sport, with the new rules being implemented from 2014-2017.

Main Document

Coming into force on 1 August, the biggest change sees the creation of two new events for the sport - singles and freestyle.

The singles event will allow athletes to dance alone as the current events require a partner, with their dance judged on rhythm and technical skills, as well as musicality, performance and charisma.

And the freestyle event will allow athletes to have more creative freedom over their dances, with dances judged according to their technical skills, choreography and presentation, and difficulty level.

They will be allowed to choose any music that they desire, including mixing songs together. Their dance will then be judged on things like rhythm and performance.

Athletes also have free choice over the type of costume and make-up during their freestyle performance, but it should reflect the program, performance and age of the dancers.

The IPC hope that these rule changes will allow the sport to reach new countries and new athletes of all ages.

Separated into classes one and two, within the standard events, the athletes dance waltz, Viennese waltz, quick step, slow foxtrot, and tango. In latin, they dance rumba, samba, cha-cha-cha, paso doble and jive.

Another change to the rulebook is in relation to sponsors on the wheelchairs. The advertising guidelines can be viewed on the wheelchair dance sport website: www.paralympic.org/wheelchair-dance-sport/rules-and-regulations/wheelchair-dance-sport-rules.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement, and also acts as the International Federation for nine sports, including wheelchair dance sport.

The sport is governed by the IPC and co-ordinated by the IPC Wheelchair Dance Sport Sports Technical Committee.

For further information, please visit www.paralympic.org/wheelchair-dance-sport www.facebook.com/IPCwheelchairdancesport or www.ParalympicSport.TV

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